14 



THE CUBA REVIEW 



'Kapok" cJiipsulc Opened After Contact 

 with Heat and Light. 



Ceiba, wliieh grows throughout Tropical America and is known in Cuba as a kmdmark and 

 called the Ceiba tree. 



A plantation of Kapok trees requires but little attention, is of rapid growth, and the fruit 

 capsules can be collected with little difficulty. The Department of Agriculture in Cuba, and 

 particularly the station at Camaguey, through the efforts of Dr. Luaces, are propagating as 

 many plants as possible and distribtiting them throughout the Province of Camaguey. The 

 Agriculture School at Camaguey will acquaint the Cuban farmer with the possibilities and 

 increased source of income to be derived from a plantation of Kapok trees, and in view of the 

 small amount of time and care to be devoted to such a plantation as compared with orange 

 groves and other citrus fruit plantations, it is hoped to receive active support from the rural 

 class of Cubans, and owing to its rajiid growth and l)cautifid foliage will be a welcome addition 

 to Cuban highwavs. 



FANCY POULTRY. SUPPLIES, AND EGGS FOR CUBA 



The island of Cuba is a considerable consumer of eggs and does not supply nearly enough 

 for local needs, although the chmate and land are in many ways ideal for poultry raising and 

 the production of eggs on a commercial scale. 



In 1913 there were imported 6,951,083 dozen eggs, valued at $1,124,281 and paying 

 dtities that aggregated $192,013; in 1914 there were 5,494,897 dozen eggs imported, valued at 

 $1,213,409 and producing a revenue of $170,920 for the Cuban Government. Of this great 

 quantity of eggs, in 1913, all came from the United States but 6,110 dozen, valued at $2,383, 

 which were imported from Mexico. In 1914 the Mexican importation rose to 64,674 dozen, 

 valued at $22,200. It is stated that the Alexican eggs can be purchased more cheaply than 

 the American and are not storage stock. All but 150,000 dozen in 1913 and 98,921 dozen in 

 1914 were entered at Habana. Guantanamo and Santiago were the other two ports receiving 

 shipments; Matanzas received only 34 dozen in two years. 



The eggs imported are mainly "storage stock" and sell for 30 to 48 cents a dozen. Fresh 

 or "yard" eggs are very scarce and are readily taken at 5 cents each, or 60 cents per dozen, 

 and the supply is never adequate. 



